Akeem Springs called it one of the toughest decisions of his life.
The former Waukegan star guard averaged 13.2 points and 5.3 rebounds for Milwaukee last season. After Panthers coach Rob Jeter was fired in mid-March, the 6-foot-4, 210-pound Springs decided to transfer.
His final two candidates came down to Minnesota and Mississippi. Playing in the Big Ten always was a dream for Springs, but the allure of playing in front of the majority of his family near Oxford, Miss., also was appealing.
A redshirt junior, Springs gave an verbal commitment Friday to Minnesota coach Richard Pitino. As a graduate transfer, Springs will be eligible to play immediately next season for the Golden Gophers.
Springs indicated that Pitino’s direct involvement in his recruiting was a big factor in his decision.
“It was tough to say no to Ole Miss because my family is down there,” Springs said. “And that just speaks to how good of a job the coaches at Minnesota did to make me feel in the little time I will be there that I will be a part of something.”
Family almost was a turning point, according to Springs.
“All of my mom’s side is from around 90 minutes from the campus of Ole Miss,” he said. “My visit there was great, and I thought that was where I wanted to be because my mom, brother, sister, cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles and just a bunch of people live near Ole Miss.
“After I took my visit to Ole Miss, I thought the Minnesota coaches did a good job reaching out to me and the players connected with me. That was the difference for me, and the energy around the program and the players made me go with Minnesota.”
Springs also noted many of his family members are still living in the Waukegan area, including his father. Springs averaged 16.7 points and 8.4 rebounds as a senior in 2011-12, leading the Bulldogs to the Central Suburban South title and earning IBCA Class 4A third team All-State honors.
After transferring from Northern Illinois following the 2012-13 season, Springs averaged 10.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists in his first season for Milwaukee in 2014-15.
Springs acknowledged he’s excited about playing in the Big Ten. Former Waukegan star Jereme Richmond played for Illinois. Another of Springs’ friends, Lenzelle Smith, played at Ohio State.
“I grew up and watching the Big Ten, especially with Jereme going to Illinois and Lenzelle,” Springs said. “People used to always say I have a Big Ten body. I always thought I would be a Big Ten kid, but I needed to work on things and develop.
“It finally happened. It’s crazy to see that I will have a chance to play against Northwestern, which is right down the street, and Illinois and the other schools the Big Ten. I’m excited about it.”
Springs pointed out that Minnesota’s coaching staff plans to play him at small forward. He credited Milwaukee trainer Brandon Wells for helping him rehab after left shoulder surgery and Daniel Pone man for assisting him in his recruiting.
Last season, Springs started 32 games and finished second on the team in scoring and rebounding. He made 32 3-pointers. The Panthers defeated Wisconsin and Minnesota on the road, with Springs scoring 15 points and grabbing seven rebounds in a 74-65 win over the Gophers on Dec. 23.
“Coach (Pitino) told me it’s a different level of respect when you had a player play against you and beat you,” Springs said. “Hopefully, Gopher fans (see) I can win some games for them, so they can let that loss go.”
Bob Narang is a freelance writer for the News-Sun.
